I use a tens unit when my jaw muscles start to clench. I apply it to each side of my jaw for 20 to 30 minutes. It releases the muscle spasm. Some insurances will pay for the tens unit. I also use a mouth guard at night to protect my teeth from damage.

I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. Mine affects the right sided of my face. I would also get the tingling in the lips and in the right side of my face. My doctor prescribed Topamax. I take 100mg twice a day and that has kept it pretty much under control. I occasionally have flare ups and during those times I will take Tramadol for the pain.

My doctor prescribed tegretol, a drug used predominantly for seizures. But it does work on pain in the 3rd facial nerve which includes the ear and jaw. It doesn't eliminate the pain completely, but makes it less annoying. I also wear a dental night guard to protect my teeth from the sleep clenching

Since you clench your teeth I know that it is not a fully estetic solution mouth guard for sport as some are more or less spongy. It helped my daughter during chemotherapy as she had that type of pain (she was even grinding her teeth and broke one baby teeth) the mouth guard was not the most confortable but it did absorbed a part of the pressure. For liquid food the milk 2 go and ensure or carnations breakfast are the ones with the best taste. She was 8yo when we had to deal with that. They suggested massage of the jaw (bad idea in her case) she liked to put hand warmer close to her ears but not over it. (She never explained it but I saw the relief)

I have been suffering episodes of face pain and I have to say it's one of the worst symptoms because it's so hard to carry on. You just want to sob but that makes it worse! Someone on here said they gently drag their finger tips from the jaw down to their chin to try to relieve it. I know this sounds weird but when I'm in pain I clench my teeth and make it worse so I puff out my cheeks and then try to have a more relaxed jaw. My physio said to try to eat soft food for a while too. When it's super bad it just shoots across my face too and if there's a solution I'd like to know!

Feeling for you, hopefully your pain will pass as a temporary flare! X